Furniture structure



Dec. 11, 1956 J. J. WETZLER 2,773,271

FURNITURE STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Dec. 11, 1956 J. J. WETZLER FURNITURE STRUCTURE Filed Nov: 8, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 11, 1956 J. J. WETZL'ER FURNITURE STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 8, 1954 United States l atent O E 731271 FURNITURE STRUCTURE Justin J. Wetzler, Evanston, 111., assignor to The Englander Company, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware The present invention relates to a novel furniture structure and more particularly to novel furniture structures adapted to be utilized in box spring units, divans, day beds, chairs, vehicle seats and the like.

A major item in the cost of making pieces of furniture of the above generally described type is the cost of labor involved in assembling spring units and securing the springs to a ,frame structure. It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel furniture structure including springs and frame means wherein the springs and the frame means may be assembled more rapidly and economically than heretofore possible.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture structure wherein springs and frame means may be rapidly assembled without the need for separate fastening devices such as staples, screws and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture structure of the above described type wherein springs may be assembled individually in a rapid and economical manner with a frame structure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel furniture structure wherein springs either individually or in a preassemb'led spring unit may be easily and rapidly connected with a metal frame without the aid of auxiliary fastening devices.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture embodying the novel structure of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the novel structure of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 77 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 6 but showing a slightly modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9--9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but showing another modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional viewtaken along line il111 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a metal frame member to be used in a furniture structure embodying a further modified form of the present invention;

ice

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing a spring assembled with the metal frame member of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line 15-15 in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view showing still another modified form of the present invention; and

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line i8-1 in Fig. 17. I

Referring now more specifically to the drawings where in like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, there is shown for the purpose of illustrating this invention a piece of furnh ture Zti, but it is understood that the principles of the present invention may be applied to various types and pieces of furniture. The divan 20 includes a box spring unit 22 which is supported by a plurality of legs 24. A cushion or mattress 26 is disposed on top of the box spring unit and a back rest 28 is secured to the box spring unit.

The box spring unit 22 includes a rectangular frame 30 which is composed of a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members 32, and a pair of end frame members 34. In addition, a plurality of transverse frame members 36 extend between and are secured to the side frame members at spaced intervals. All of the frame members are formed from sheet metal and may easily be joined together as by welding. In order to promote economical forming and assembly of the frame members, they are provided with the same cross sectional shape. Thus, each of the frame members includes a vertical web portion 38 having upper and lower flanges 4d and 42 extending from its margins. In addition, a longitudinally extending channel is formed in each of the web portions between the flanges, which channel has horizontally disposed side sections 44 and 46 joined by a vertical bottom section 48.

The box spring unit also includes a plurality of coil springs 50, each of which has a relatively large upper end coil 52 which is tied in the usual manner as at 54. While the coil springs 50 may have various known external shapes, they are preferably formed so that the coils thereof diminish in size from the upper relative large coil. However, it is important to note that in accordance with the present invention each of the springs 50 is provided with a bottom coil 56 which terminates in a generally straight wire section 58 that extends axially of the coil. This wire section is used to connect the spring with the frame in the manner described below.

In order to connect the springs to the frame structure, each of the transverse frame members 36 is provided with a plurality of spaced sets of apertures 6t), 62 and 64 in its upper flange 4i and horizontal sections 44 and 46, respectively. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, these apertures are formed so that they are defined by generally funnel shaped annular flanges 66, 68 and 70, respectively. With the structure thus far described, each of the springs 50 may be individually and rapidly connected with the frame merely by inserting its wire section 58 through the apertures 6t}, 62 and 64. The generally funnel shaped annular flanges provides these apertures with enlarged mouths so as to facilitate insertion of the wire section. While the apertures 60 and 64 are in substantial axial alignment, it should be noted that the aperture 62 is slightly offset as shown in Fig. 6. This causes the wire section 58 to be flexed upon insertion through the apertures so that the inherent resiliency of the wire section urges it firmly into engagement with the relatively sharp edges of the annular flanges 66 and 7t) at one side of their respective apertures and the similar edge of the annular flange 62 at the opposite side of its aperture. Thus, these edges bite into the wire section 53 and serve along with the frictional engagement of the wire with the annular flanges to prevent accidental or unauthorized disassembly of the spring from the frame member. Thus, it is seen that the springs may be rapidly and economically connected with the frame members in a secure manner without the aid of any separate or auxiliary fastening devices.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the coil springs 50 are arranged in a plurality of rows over each of the transverse frame members 36 and it will be appreciated that the frame members serve to anchor the bottom ends of the springs with respect to each other. In the structure shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, the upper ends of the coil springs are interconnected by diagonally disposed wires or small coil springs 72 and 74 in a known manner. in addition, a border wire 7'6 of known construction is secured to the marginal springs by staples or thelike '78. The entire frame and spring structure is preferably enclosed with a covering fabric 33.

In Figs. 8 and 9 there is shown a slightly modified form of the present invention. The structure shown in these figures is similar to the above described structure as indicatedjby the application of identical reference numerals with the suflix a added to corresponding elements and differs in that the apertures 60a, 62a and 64a are in substantial axial alignment and in that the wire section 58a is initially provided with a permanent bend. Thus, when the wire section 58a is inserted through the aligned apertures it is straightened but tends to return to its original bent condition as a result of its inherent resiliency. Thus, the wire section 58a is resiliently urged into cooperative engagement with the annular flanges 66a, 63a and 743a to prevent inadvertent removal of the spring from the frame member.

In Figs. l0, l1 and 1 2, there is shown another modified form of the present invention which is similar to the above described structures as indicated by the applicatioh of identical reference numerals with the suffix b added to corresponding elements. In this embodiment, the openings 60b, 62b and 6412 are in the form of elongated slots and the wire section 58b is provided with a shallow U-shaped portion 82 which is adapted to be located between the channel sections 44b and 46b when the spring is assembled with the frame member. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the slots extend longitudinally of the frame member. The spring 5012 is assembled with the frame member by positioning it so that the U-shaped portion 82 of the wire section 58b is aligned with the slots whereupon the wire section is inserted into the slot. When the wire section is fully inserted the spring is turned so that the bottom or end of the U-shaped portion 82 is urged into engagement with the section 43b of the frame member. The slots are offset from the section 48b and the wire portion 82 is formed so that when the spring is turned to bring the wire portion 82 into engagement with the section 48b as shown in Figs. and 12, the wire section is slightly flexed so that the inherent resiliency thereof serves to insure the maintenance of frictional engagement between the portion 82 and the section 48b. This frictional engagement is sufficient to prevent the spring from inadvertently turning so that the wire section could be removed from the slots.

Figs. 13, 14- and 15 show another modification of the present invention which is similar to the above described structures as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suffix 0 added to corresponding elements. This embodiment differs in that the openings 6iic, 62c and 640 are respectively formed by striking out pointed tabs or barbs 84, 86 and 38, respectively. The barbs are preferably initially formed so that they extend across the openings sufiiciently to require a slight flexing thereof as the wire section 580 is inserted through the openings. Thus, the barbs dig into the wire section and prevent its removal from the opening.

Fig. 16 shows another modified form of the present invention which is similar to the above described structures as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the sutfix d added to corresponding elements. in this embodiment, the transverse frame members 36d have been modified so as to effect a substantial savings in stock material. More specifically, the overall height of each transverse frame member 36d has been shortened so that each frame member may fit between the flanges 4M and 44d of the side frame members 32d. In addition, each frame member 36d is formed so that it has a generally S-shaped cross section provided by vertically spaced horizontal portions 90, 92 and "94 joined by vertical portions '96 and 98. The horiiontal portions 99, 92 and correspond to the horizontal flanges 4f), 44 and 46 of the above described transverse frame members 36. Thus, the wire receiving apertures 66d, 62d and 64d are formed in these horizontal portions. While the apertures 64M, 62d and 640! have been shown as defined by annular funnel shaped flanges similar to those shown in the embodiment of Figs. 5 through 7, it is understood that these apertures and the wire section 58:. may be formed in any of the various manners described above.

Figs. 17 and 1-8 show still another modified form of the present invention which is substantially similar to the embodiment of Fig. 16 as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suffix e added to corresponding elements. In this embodiment, the transverse frame member 36e has been further modified so that it has a generally Z-shaped cross section provided by horizontal portions c and 94a and a diagonal portion 1%. In this embodiment the apertures 60c and 642 are defined by generally funnel shaped annular flanges 66c and 70.2 while the aperture 62c which is provided in the diagonal portion is provided by striking opposed tabs 102 and 104 from the diagonal portion. These tabs are preferably initially formed so that they substantially close the aperture 628 whereby they are spread apart upon application of the wire section 58c and dig into the wire section to prevent its withdrawal from the aperture.

From the above description it is seen that the present invention has provided a novel structure which may be used in various pieces of furniture and wherein coil springs may be individually and rapidly connected with metal frame members without the aid of auxiliary or separate fastening devices such as staples, screws, tie wires or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by first assembling the springs with the frame structure in accordance with the present invention, assembly of the entire spring unit is facilitated since the frame structure positively holds and locates the individual spring whereby .an operator may readily connect the upper end of the springs in any known manner. It is understood that in certain instances it may be desirable to connect a preassembled spring unit of substantially known construction to a sheet metal frame of the type described above and this may be accomplished by providing certain of the springs in the" unit with depending wire sections which are adapted to be inserted into apertures in the frame members.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a furniture structure, the combination COII'IPLlS ing a metal frame member having a plurality of spaced superposed and integrally interconnected portions with aperture means in each of said portions, and a spring adjacent said frame member and including a wire section extending into the aperture means in each of said frame member portions, said aperture means being generally in alignment with one of the aperture means being offset with respect to other of said aperture means, and! said wire section being substantially straight" before insertion into said aperture means so that upon insertion into the aperture means, saidwire section is flexed and the inherent resiliency thereof urges the wire section into engagement with margins of said aperture means to restrain withdrawal of the wire section from the aperture means.

2. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a metal frame member having a plurality of spaced superposed and integrally interconnected portions with aperture means in each of said portions, and a spring adjacent said frame member and including a wire section extending into the aperture means in each of said frame member portions, said aperture means being in substantial axial alignment, and said wire section being initially curved so that upon insertion through the aperture means the wire section is straightened and the inherent resiliency thereof urges the wire section into engagement with margins of the aperture means to restrain withdrawal of the wire section from the aperture means.

3. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a metal frame member having a plurality of spaced superposed and integrally interconnected portions with aperture means in each of said portions, and a spring adjacent said frame member and including a wire section extending into the aperture means in each of said frame member portions, said aperture means being defined by integral generally funnel shaped flanges having enlarged ends for facilitating the entry of the wire section therethrough and restricted opposite ends engageable with the wire section to restrain withdrawal thereof.

4. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a metal frame member having a plurality of spaced superposed and integrally interconnected portions with aperture means in each of said portions, and a spring adjacent said frame member and including a wire section extending into the aperture means in each of said frame member portions, said aperture means being in the form of elongated slots, and said wire section having a laterally offset bent portion which may be aligned with the major axis of the slot and passed therethrough and then turned to extend transversely of the slots and prevent withdrawal of the wire section from these slots.

5. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a metal frame member having a plurality of spaced superposed and integrally interconnected portions with aperture means in each of said portions, and a spring adjacent said frame member and including a wire section extending into the aperture means in each of said frame member portions, said means engaging the wire section including integral tab means defining portions of said aperture means and projecting into engagement with the wire section to restrain withdrawal of the wire section.

6. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a frame including a pair of side frame members and a plurality of metal transverse frame members extending between and secured to said side frame members, each of said transverse frame members having a plurality of spaced superposed and integrally interconnected portions and a plurality of spaced sets of generally aligned aperture means in said frame portions, and a plurality of coil springs each disposed on one of said transverse frame members, each of said springs including a generally axially projecting wire section extending into one of said sets of aperture means, said transverse frame members including integral means defining portions of said aperture means and engaging said Wire sections to restrain Withdrawal of the wire sections from the aperture means.

7. A furniture structure, as defined in claim 6, wherein said side frame members and said transverse frame mem bers have substantially identical generally channel shaped cross sections.

8. A furniture structure, as defined in claim 6, wherein said side frame members each includes a relatively wide web portion between opposite longitudinal extending marginal portions, and wherein each of said transverse frame members has an overall width substantially less than the width of said web portions.

9. A furniture structure, as defined in claim 8, wherein each of said transverse frame members has a generally S-shaped transverse cross section.

10. A furniture structure, as defined in claim 8, wherein each of said transverse frame members has a generally Z-shaped transverse cross section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 184,703 Camp Nov. 28, 1876 264,468 Mitchell Sept. 19, 1882 1.376,476 Stepke May 3, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,405 Australia Nov. 4, 1927 of 1927 336,405 Great Britain Oct. 16, 1930 

